This dreamy Loaded Baked Potato Soup is a true comfort food. On a cool rainy day, there's nothing like it, it's soothing to the tummy and good for the soul. Filled with the same flavors you might enjoy on a loaded baked potato, it's topped with cheese, sour cream, bacon and green onion just before serving.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
In this Loaded Baked Potato Soup I chose to use lighter versions of dairy products, but, I am in no way implying this is a diet dish. It's perfectly fine with me if you choose to go the full fat route but, I just wanted to demonstrate that it's not necessary for the richness and flavor of this soup to shine through. It makes for such a comfort and tummy filing meal served with a side of homemade garlic bread or cheese crackers for dipping. A salad and warm crusty garlic bread is all you need to turn this into a meal fit for a king or queen.
Other Potato Recipes to Add to the Menu
While potato soup is a comforting meal in a bowl, there are many ways to enjoy the loveable spud. A few other recipes to add to the menu:
- Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
- New Potato Ham and Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Yukon Gold Potato Hash
- Air Fryer French Fries from Well Plated
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 536kcal
Ingredients
- 3 lbs baking-russet potatoes [approximate]
- 5 tablespoon light butter
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups 2 % milk
- 10 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- ⅓ cup red onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups low fat half & half
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided 2% or full fat
- 2 [14.5 oz] cans chicken broth
- 1 8 oz light sour cream
- 8 chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoon fresh chopped Italian parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wash the potatoes, and remove any blemishes, but, don't peel. Pierce each potato with a fork 2-3 times, then wrap in aluminum foil. Place onto a baking sheet and bake for 1-1 ½ hours until fork tender. Remove from the oven, and cut into bite size chunks.
- In a medium stove top pot, melt 5 tablespoons of light butter. Add ½ cup of flour, salt, dry mustard and black pepper. Cook until the roux blends and the flour cooks slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in 4 cups of milk. The roux tends to stick to the edges of the pot, so be certain you mix all of it into the milk, or the sauce won't thicken properly.
- Bring to a boil stirring constantly, then lower the heat to a simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4-5 minutes, until the flour has cooked.
- While the sauce is cooking, in a large pot or dutch oven, cook the bacon until crisp.Remove to paper towels to drain, reserving 2 tablespoon droppings. Saute red onion in drippings until translucent. Add minced garlic cooking for 1 minute.
- After the sauce has cooked for 5 minutes and thickened, add 1 ½ cups of low fat half & half and 2 cups of shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese has completely melted then, remove from the heat.
- Add the chopped potato chunks, and 1 ½ cans of chicken broth. Cook on medium. You can adjust the thickness of the soup after adding the sauce to the pot.
- Pour the cheese sauce into the pot and stir until blended. If you thin your soup a little too much, don't panic, you can easily thicken it by mashing some of the potatoes. Starch is a natural thickener, and the soup will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Allow the soup to bubble, but do not boil, for about 15-20 minutes.
- Add the chopped parsley, half of the crumbled bacon and 8 ounces of sour cream. Continue to cook on medium just until heated through. Taste and adjust salt and pepper, if needed.
- Ladle into bowls, topped with a sprinkle of shredded cheese, crumbled bacon and green onions.
Notes
The Old Bay Seasoning is optional but, we really like the "kick" it gives to the potato soup. Creole seasoning would work great, too.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 830mg | Potassium: 1052mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 964IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 492mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Anonymous
Turned out great left out the Old Bay but added some Texas Pete and Worcestershire about 2 T each. Yummy
Melissa
You probably could, although this particular soup doesn't cook quite long enough to get the full benefit from cooking with ham bone. If you try it, let me know how it goes.
Anonymous
I would say that you could add your leftover ham bone from Chrisfmas to this soup. What do you think?
Melissa
Hi Nicki-Dee! It's true comfort food, this soup. I hope you love it as much as we do. Thanks for your visit! ~ Melissa
Nicki-Dee
This is so great!! I used to go to a pub that made it homemade on fridays and then they took it away 🙁 Thank you for posting this I have never found a good recipe until now 🙂 Will be making this tomorrow for sure 🙂
Jaxon D.
Hi Melissa
How many people does this recipe serve?
Melissa
Hi Jaxon,
You should yield 6-8 servings of this soup. If you plan on serving this soup as a main course for 6 adults, you might consider making 1 1/2 batch to have extra servings. There are so many variables, it depends on the appetite and ages of those you're entertaining. This recipe easily doubles if needed. Hope this helps!
Melissa
I've never used frozen potatoes in place of baked potatoes for this soup. If you prefer to go that route, let me know your results. Thanks, Melissa
Anonymous
Can you use Frozen diced potatoes unstid of baking your own? This would save a lot of time?